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South West Services find seven fatal fire factors

richard.hook@pavpub.com

News, 05 March 2014

Fire services in the South West of England have joined together to identify the seven fatal factors that link most home fire deaths in the region.

With the societal cost of a fire death in the home estimated at more than £1.65 million, HM Coroner Ian Arrow says the findings of the CFOA South West Fire Investigation Group will prove "invaluable in identifying high risk individuals, who would benefit from inter-agency intervention".

The CFOA report was been compiled using research data from a total of 88 deaths from 2008 to 2013, and found that the most common factor was that the victim lived alone, which was identified in 47 of the 88 cases (53%).

All too often known to other agenciesStation Manager Andy Justice, Fire Investigation Manager for Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, said: “The facts show that accidental fires in the home affect those most vulnerable and all too often are already known to other agencies.

“All the agencies involved have to work even more closely together to identify and then help those most at risk from dying in a fire.”

The research also identified the following facts:• Over 60% of female victims were aged over 65, compared to just 36% of male victims• The average age of a male victim was 56 years compared to 68 years for a female victim• Smokers’ materials were the most common source of ignition, which resulted in 20 fatalities throughout the region• In 61 of the 88 fatal cases (69%), a smoke detector was either not present or failed to raise the alarm• Of the 88 cases examined in the study, at least 29 were known to other agencies.